Wobbliness (ataxia) after Fluralaner (Bravecto) in dogs

The FDA has received 1,189 reports of wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs after Fluralaner. That is 1.7% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 2.6% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

1,189Reports

84%Marked serious

31%Recovered

16%Died or euthanised

1 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

233 31%

1–2 days

201 27%

3–7 days

69 9.3%

1–4 weeks

86 12%

Over a month

155 21%

How the animals did

Recovered

332 28%

Recovered with lasting effects

37 3.1%

Still unwell when reported

489 41%

Died

63 5.3%

Euthanised

129 11%

Not known

139 12%

Problems reported at the same time

375 32%

321 27%

294 25%

280 24%

258 22%

191 16%

191 16%

163 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

117

1–3 years

263

4–7 years

295

8–11 years

264

12+ years

241

About this medicine

Fluralaner kills fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks (chewable or spot-on).

Products with this ingredient include Bravecto. The FDA hides brand names in its public data, so these reports cover every product with the same active ingredients.

In 2018 the FDA alerted owners and vets that isoxazoline products have been associated with neurologic reactions such as muscle tremors, wobbliness (ataxia) and seizures, including in animals with no history of them.

Questions owners ask

Can Fluralaner cause wobbliness (ataxia) in dogs?: 1,189 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 1 day of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Wobbliness (ataxia) with similar medicines

Wobbliness (ataxia) after Afoxolaner (NexGard) 1,333 reports · 2.3% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Sarolaner (Simparica) 1,086 reports · 6.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Lotilaner (Credelio) 277 reports · 2.8% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Afoxolaner + Moxidectin + Pyrantel (NexGard PLUS) 139 reports · 1.5% of its reports
Wobbliness (ataxia) after Lotilaner + Moxidectin + Praziquantel + Pyrantel (Credelio Quattro) 52 reports · 1.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Fluralaner in dogs · Medicines most reported with wobbliness (ataxia)